RUPSHU VALLEY TREK

Season: May to September
Duration: 3 days drive / 9 days trek
Grade: Moderate

Lying between Zanskar and the Tibetan border to the east is the region known as Rupshu, the highest and least well- known part of Ladakh. This area is physically a part of the Chang Tang plains, which extend eastwards from Rupshu for almost 1000 kilometers across Tibet. Consisting of a network of high valleys, separated by impressive ridges, with snow - capped peaks soaring to over 6000 meters, Rupshu is a rugged land inhabited by a hardy and cheerful nomadic people known as Chang-pa.
Flying in to Leh, we will spend 3 days acclimatizing, with visits to several of the region's Buddhist monasteries, and we will also drive up to the world's highest road pass - the Khardung La (17,384 ft.). Our trek starts from Hemis, heading southwards into the heart of unspoiled Rupshu, crossing 4 high passes, 3 of them over 16,400 ft., which each afford splendid view across majestic plateau-land to distant snow peaks. Lovely high meadow campsites stunning scenery, isolated villages and fascinating encounters with the hardy Chang-pa at their black tented encampments, makes this undoubtedly one of the best trips currently on offer in Ladakh

DAY 01: Arrive Delhi
Where you will be met and transfered to your hotel. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 02: Fly Delhi - Leh (3500m)
Arrive Leh and you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to either rest in the shade of the hotel courtyard, or we can take a lazy walk into Leh's colorful bazaar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Visit Shey, Thiksey, Hemis Monastries
Full day sightseeing with guide and pack lunch to SHEY / THIKSEY and HEMIS monasteries.

SHEY : Situated on a hillock 15 km. upstream from Leh was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tidetan kings. A 7.5 meter high copper status of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind is installed here.

THIKSE : Spectacularly sighted, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive gompa. There are several temples in this gompa, containing images stupas and wall painting of Buddhas which are exquisite.

HEMIS : It is the wealthiest, best known and biggest gompa in Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honour of Guru Padma Sambhav's birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka, which is unfurled once in 12 years (next in 2004).

Day 04: Leh - Khardungla Pass (18,380 ft)
After breakfast, start for a full day excursion to Khardungla pass. The Khardungla pass, which is the highest motorable pass in the world, has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. At the top, you can enjoy the natural beauty of snow-capped mountain. In the evening return to the hotel and spend the night there.DAY 4)Leh - Hemis (3505m) by bus

DAY 05: Drive Martselang and Trek to Shang Sumdo (3850m)
Today we leave the Indus valley. We drive to Martselang and then start trekking, follow the valley, which is fairly narrow in some places, continuing along the riverbed to Shang Sumdo. A short and pleasant stage, in anticipation of the next two long days.

DAY 06: Shang Sumdo - Latza Kongmaru (4800m)
We progress along the river whose banks are studded with ochre rocks. From Chukirmo village, the track leads into narrow gorges, where ponies need to be unloaded twice, and climb up to the base of Kongmaru La.

DAY 07: Latza Gongmaru-Kongmaru La(5030m)-Langtang Chu (4250m)
From the pass, there are great views north towards eastern Korakoram and China, whilst the southern view is dominated by the shapely Kang Yatze (6400m) and the Ladakhi range. We take a ridge trail and descend zigzagging across screed. Afterwards, the path descends easily towards the Nimaling summer pastures and the Markha valley, the most beautiful valley in Ladakh.

DAY 08: Langtang Chu - Yakrupal (4700m)
We climb up the large valley, and, after crossing a stream, carry on along a wall of moraine

DAY 09: Yakrupal - Zalung Karpo La (5200m) - Sorra (4200m)
We carry on upwards until the valley divides, where we fork right. From the pass, we follow a ridge trail that leads to another pass, then plunge into the valley.

DAY 10: Sorra - Dat (4200m)
We follow beautiful woody gorges until they widen into a valley. Manis and shortens are scattered along the trail that leads along the Sara and Dat rivers. Dat is a verdant village, where arable farming uses every inch of land.

DAY 11: Dat - Yar La (5000m) - Lungmo Che (4010m)
An easy climb takes us up to the pass, where we enjoy a dramatic view over the Rupshu. Sometimes we are overtaken by caravans of "Khyangs", wild donkeys that frighten our ponies.

DAY 12: Lungmo Che - Lun (4100m)
The landscape completely changes, turning into into a vast arid plain where the Zara Chu flows (dry from August on). Tibetan nomads populate the area.

DAY 13: Lun - Marang La (5300m) - Takh
The path leaves the river and leads up to a beautiful plateau at 4500m. We climb up gently to the last pass. Then it is a long descent towards Takh.

DAY 14: Drive Takh - Manali
A long drive to Manali. Crossing the Rohtang Pass (3990m) above Manali, We glimpse the green forested slopes of the Kullu- Manali Valley. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 15: Manali - Delhi
Check in to our Hotel.

DAY 16: Delhi Sight Seeing
The morning is free to relax and then after lunch we leave for a 05 Hours sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi, Which are completely different in character to one another. We visit the Qutub Minar, Red fort and India Gate.

DAY 16) Transfer to IGA airport
Fly back home